Ruffian Wine Bar & Chef’s Table

This place helped cheer me up after a particularly rough work day.
It’s one long wraparound chef’s table, but there is limited seating. I wouldn’t come here if you have a party larger than 2, or it’ll be difficult to have a conversation. I found it to be a nautical cozy yet open space; conducive to private conversations without getting too loud.
Now, I love liquor related happy hours, but good happy hours are even better. $ 5 happy hour for select dishes (score). But no wine happy hour here.
Came here with a friend, both of us went starving but we could eat. We ordered :
— 2 glasses of orange wine: really interesting and dry, glad I got this even though I don’t usually like non-​reds
— bread with bagna cauda: so good we ordered two. It’s a delicious anchovy butter spread that we couldn’t get enough of. Just the right amount of salt
— beets with crème fraîche: this was a larger dish, and we actually got it for $ 5. I don’t like beets, but this was something I really enjoyed. The beets are a little more toned down, tender and the crème fraîche was a little thick so it stood up to the beets.
— saucisson sec from cured meats: super flavorful and expertly sliced. Super thin, so the fat melts in your mouth.
— pan roasted quail with lightly crisped mushrooms: deboned except for the leg. Not gamey, perfectly cooked. Loved the flavors and didn’t feel heavy.
We did have two rounds of bread, so left feeling full. Not overly so, but not bad for the quality and the price!
Definitely recommend coming here.

I haven been wanting to visit this place for so long and i finally came, but…
I would suggest them if they are doing daily menus, the website menu should be updated accordingly…
I came here all excited to try the beef tongue, cauliflower soufflé, duck samosa, and pork liver mousse that was on Unilocal photos… But none of the three was on their menu that day (only realized after we sit down).
The happy hour menu were mostly beans which I wasn’t so interested. The menu that day were eggplant dish, goat cheese dish, lamp dish which I just don’t eat them. It’s a small menu so it limited the food I can eat already.
We got the happy hour radish ($ 5), radish was fresh but very small amount with very heavy taste butter (?), overall it wasn’t so balanced.
Cheese soufflé ($ 17) for appetizer– I was still excited because I love soufflé. But I was disappointed after the first bite, it’s still quite wet inside, and does not have the fluffy texture of soufflé at all… This is also the smallest soufflé I ever had.
We share the chicken pie ($ 24) for entrée– it was okay, really nothing special, the pie was a bit too thick and dry, hard to eat, doesn’t feel fresh. This dish doesn’t worth the price tag as well.
I wanted to try the chocolate soufflé as well but was afraid it would come out the same texture win the cheese soufflé so we decided not to.
I hate to give this place only two star because I love the concept and the vibe they are giving. But I have to be honest I did not enjoy the meal here. I wish I did like all other Unilocal reviewers.
We went to Xe May Sandwich on the next street to have a bah-​mi as a real dinner!!!

Welcoming, cozy, and friendly. The wine list is great with multiple unique wines from around the world. Food is creative and delicious. Can’t wait to return!

I love finding a place in New York where instead of ignoring you and making it seem like a bother to serve you they welcome you with open arms and delicious wine!
Ruffian is an exceptional find. Delicious food, Interesting wines and a friendly atmosphere come together in this tiny spot. Every inch is utilized to make the customers happy. The staff truly seems to be enjoying themselves and that makes all the difference in the quality of service.
There’s no AC so dress light and order something refreshing. I will certainly return soon!

Damn did I have a fun time here. Everything about this place is charmingly quirky and interesting, from the space to the food to the drinks. The space it about as New York as you can get: it’s one small, narrow room. They don’t even have a kitchen in the back or anything, which is neat because you can watch them prepare all the dishes behind the bar. I didn’t try any food, but it looked tasty, lots of fun little plates and cheeses.
Special kudos to one of the coolest (read: most hipster) menus I’ve seen: they’re made from old books, and the covers have been repainted (so they’re all different).
The wine list is amazing and the bartenders are super friendly and helpful. He made sure we ordered drinks we would like — which actually mattered because we got the risky, unusual things I’d never had before, like super sour beer and orange (!?) wine. Turns out orange champagne is delicious! We’ll definitely be returning.

As advertised, great food, great and unique wines.
Their food changes but out of the many great dishes I had, the cauliflower miso soup and the steak tar tar stood out. The service and the atmosphere is great and the bathroom is awesome! Definitely try their Georgina wines. it’s a trip of a bottle.

Had happy hour. Can’t comment on wine because I don’t know much. Had all four available happy hour tapas and all of them were good. Though the miso soup doesn’t taste like miso. It is more of cream based soup. But I really like the balance of basil, creaminess, and citrus oil

Not sure about the choice of music for ambience (A shaggy album from the early 2000s), but the food was really good and our server was super sweet.
Started with fennel and bread and buttermilk, before sharing cheese soufflé and chicken pie with horseradish and an apple salad. Really delicious but in hindsight probably didnt need the bread (the soufflé came with some). Wife got a great wine pairing recommendation which was dispatched with aplomb.

This place is perfect for a date or to catch up with a friend. It’s cozy and intimate. Almost everyone has a front row seat at the bar where they prepare the food and drinks.
We loved our small dishes that we shared with each other. They told us that they change about 80% of the food and wine menu every week. We loved the lamb pie, lentil salad and tomato chutney spread that we had, and we look forward to going back and enjoying whatever is on the menu next time.

This is a newly opened tapas/​wine bar place that has some REALLY good food and service.
It’s got the same chef’s table layout as many of the super-​high end restaurants but is a completely «walk in without reservations» type of deal.
The main dining area is pretty small with maybe about 20 seats total.
I would HIGHLY recommend getting there before 7pm so you try their selection of five menu items for $ 5 a plate vs their regular prices of $ 15 – 18 a dish — which to me is a bit on the higher end for their tapas portions.
I liked that they have almost a full page of by-​the-​glass wine selections. They seemed to start at about $ 13 a glass and the staff will happily let you sample some before deciding.
If you’re a fan of moscatos and sweet wines, definitely try a glass of their Michele Capdepon, Methode Ancestrale Limoux. This stuff was awesome.
Unfortunately on the drink side, they don’t have their license to do specials yet.
Food-​wise, you could tell the ingredients were fresh.
The menu changes all the time but these were my favorite MUST try dishes when I went.
1. Bread and butter — a full warm loaf of bread, perfectly crisp, with one of 3 types of butter spread. We tried the onion butter and it was perfect.
3. Cauliflower & Miso Soup with Lemon Oil — It didn’t look or taste like miso soup whatsoever. Really great cauliflower taste and the lemon oil gave it an interesting and almost foamy texture.
3. Chicken Liver Toast — I’m normally not a fan of chicken liver but I could eat this every day. The apples and chicken liver make a perfect sweet and savory combo.
This is definitely the type of place you’ll want to keep coming back to to try their ever rotating menu of dishes.
I’m lucky I got to try this place before it becomes impossible to get a seat in a few months.

Just finished dinner and drinks at this new place a friend told me about. The friendliest staff, and among the most talented I’ve ever come across. The food — fennel, cauliflower soup, fresh radish salad, so much more — was beyond good. As was the wine (not like I know anything about wine)! Highly recommended.

You know when you find one of those amazing spots in NYC and you are not sure whether to be selfish and keep it to yourself OR tell everyone about it?
Ruffian is one of those gems.
Quick Take: Small East Village wine bar with knowledgeable sommeliers & seriously tasty tapas style dishes. Great price point. Perfect for date nights or catch up with a friend.
You might mistakenly walk by Ruffian as the exterior is simple, but don’t let that fool you– there’s quite the experience inside. You know when people are trained under Danny & Floyd (like the Sommeliers & Chefs are) every detail, including the ambience, food, wine and service are going to be well thought out.
Note: There are no tables, just a bar where you watch the chefs work their magic. They also offer a constantly changing menu with a little something for everyone and have insane specials before 7 pm.
You MUST order:
1) The Cauliflower Miso Soup with lemon oil: ($ 5 on the Happy Hour menu 5 – 7 pm)
2) Marinated Mussels with Bruleed Aioli Toast: $ 9
I didn’t want these two dished to end. Extremely flavorful.
Not to mention, make sure you check out their chic bathroom!

Thank you to Pat and his awesome chefs for a delicious happy hour! The five for five small plates were wonderful; very inventive and packed with flavor. I loved having a ring side seat at the bar to watch the chefs work magic in a pocket sized open kitchen. Don’t let the tiny space fool you, this place packs a punch with flavor, variety of dishes and selection of wines. I’ll be back again soon to further explore the menu! I’ve been dreaming of the cauliflower miso soup… yum yum yum!

Awesome new resto/​wine bar in the East Village! Food is delicious, recommend the chicken liver toast, Miso cauliflower soup, salumi plate is on point too.
The wine list is concise but well put together, some very interesting Orange Wine on there, but my favorite has to be the Chardonnay from Cruse Wine Co. Super oxidative, funky and delicious! All in all, Ruffian is a great way to enjoy this neighborhood without dealing with the craziness on St. Marks.

Brilliant new wine bar: knowledgeable sommeliers, seriously tasty food. Magically, they prepare mini cheese soufflé, mussels in a rich broth, crisp tasty salads and more behind their bar. Can’t help but meet new friends while comparing Patrick’s wine selections in this friendly, trendy spot. Let’s go, now!

Fun friendly place, a great addition to the neighborhood. Best dish I had was the short ribs, tender and really flavorful. The menu is diverse and ambitious, a nice chance of pace from the standard wine bar stuff.

Great new place in ‘da hood! Real sommeliers who love wine. Two brilliant chefs work right across the bar, turning out surprisingly tasty tapas-​size dishes that are to die for. I haven’t tried anything yet that wasn’t delicious (the bacon-​wrapped pâté is so good it’s evil).
It’s an intimate place with the sort of friendly atmosphere I’ve been missing since our last favorite EV restaurant closed!
We enjoyed their first night – New Year’s Eve, and will be back many more times.

100 ₧. and nice window seating for people-​watching next to Butter Lane Cupcakes and Big Gay Ice Cream.

Unquestionably 5 stars. This place is little and a gem. It’s tiny inside and all food is prepared right behind the bar in front of you, so there is no kitchen. That makes the experience even better.
Because it’s small, you get hands in service. The staff is accommodating, knowledgable, attentive and nice overall.
While I was here with a small group, you should definitely come here on a date with someone who loves trying wine and isn’t a picky eater.
Get here before 7 to try happy hour food specials. Loved the hand made samosa.

E and I stuffed our faces and moaned the night away in savory pleasure.
Small Plates Ordered
Bread with a side of butter and onion ash in buttermilk and another side of tomato chutney (toasted bread with full-​flavored spreads)
Ricotta with roasted sunchokes, pine nuts, and parsley pistou (perfect blend of creamy and crunch)
Duck fat roasted potatoes and cauliflower topped with egg and lonzino (potatoes and meat, enough said)
Cauliflower and miso soup with lemon oil (smooth and addictive – 2 servings, please)
Desserts Ordered
Profiteroles with chantilly cream and raspberry curd, drizzled in chocolate
Chocolate soufflé with crème anglaise
(dance party in my mouth)
Ever-​changing menu with a little somethin’ somethin’ for everyone. Intimate and romantic ambiance. Beautifully designed book menu and a penthouse-​looking bathroom. Although, no tables, there is the bar where you can watch the chefs work their magic. Perfect date place.

This is my fourth visit to this new and refreshing wine bar/​small plate restaurant. Needless to say, that as my fourth visit in six weeks, this intimate environment is special, the wine list is unique as well as as compliments the culinary offering and the food is off the scale. The menu is ever changing, and all one should expect is a culinary experience that is «as good as it gets».
This is only the second review I have ever written about any type of business, so for what it is worth, try it you’ll love it.

A great concept, good variety of wines, never tasted a dry orange wine from the Republic of Georgia before, as well as a wonderful French Rully, just to illustrate the breath of the list. Foie gras pâté en croute was excellent, followed by luscious chocolate soufflé and profiteroles. Very friendly owner and team, helpful and knowledgeable wine sommelier for such a cozy, intimate place. And all this after only 4 weeks!

Phenomenal. We initially wanted to stop in, get a glass of wine or two and maybe a quick appetizer. But wow, a few hours, many small plates and two bottles later, we were so glad we got the full treatment. The food is incredible and the wine list is deep, interesting, and delicious.
According to the staff, they change their menu frequently depending on what’s in season and what the best available ingredients are – the night we were there, the cabbage was delicious (just like you thought brussels sprouts were boring 10 years ago, you will have a similar revelation with cabbage…), along with an amazing pâté bruschetta.
The wines were eclectic, interesting, and excellent. The staff is also extremely knowledgeable and can help select the best wine (they can go pretty in-​depth, but not in a pushy way at all).
Overall an excellent experience!

I love this place. It is cozy and elegant and the food and wine are superb. I have been there twice and ordered the citrus beat salad both times because it was so good. Don’t miss this place — great stop for Valentine’s Day.

What an amazing place!!!
Great wine, cheese, olives and company. Bartenders know their stuff.
Oh yes, and the nicest bar-​bathroom in NYC!

Excellent new spot in the East Village. Intimate space with a very knowledgeable staff. The wine selection was vast and really enjoyed the high quality cheeses and charcuterie. Recommended as a date spot or just to relax in a non-​pretentious atmosphere.

Came for the wine and small plates – stayed for the great company:)
Stumbled upon this place for a coworker’s going away and it was love at first bite. Though the restaurant is warm and familiar the menu is ever changing, so it’s impossible to get bored with the menu selections (try the beet salad, wheat berries and miso soup if they’re still available). Excellent date place, intimate and warm.
And it goes without saying that the wine selection is out of control.

This new gem shines brightly, and has entered the conversation of the best wine bars in New York City in a relaxed, unpretentious fashion. That is in part because it is much more than an excellent wine bar. Right behind the bar, it’s two talented young chefs prepare a small menu of affordable dishes that each would be standouts on the menus of any of the city’s critically-​acclaimed restaurants.
We started with a delicious orange wine from Georgia (the country), and followed with two well-​curated French reds from beyond the beaten path, an Arbois from Jura and a red Bandol, none of which I’d ever had the pleasure of tasting before and each pleasant and unique. I saw a white Hermitage floating around as well, which I tried only once over a decade ago and which remains highly memorable in its brininess.
As for the food, we tried nearly all of the dishes, each of which excelled at its proposal. Marinated mussels accompanied by toasted bread and egg meringue. A chicken liver mousse with apple slices that is simply the best I’ve ever had. Pan roasted quail with lentils. A cheese soufflé. A wheat berry salad cooked in celery root, with kale and pecorino that is another personal favorite. And a few others. It was interesting to learn that after their classical training, the proprietors met while starting their careers together over a decade ago at Tabla, Danny Meyer’s contemporary Indian restaurant that has produced some outstanding chefs. Perhaps it helps explain how simple, nutritious foods such as lentils and wheat berries can be prepared so perfectly, and matched in ways that create truly memorable dishes.
Don’t hesitate to bring a friend or a date to Ruffian’s friendly, relaxed atmosphere, and allow yourself to be led by its talented and passionate team into new experiences that you won’t soon forget.

Ended up going here twice this week! Last night we had the chicken pâté/​mousse and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the best I’ve ever had. After ordering more food, all great, we had to get a second order of the pâté. Amazing! I guess they change the menu pretty much every day so I expect a lot more awesomeness to come. Oh yea, on Monday they had a Shrimp and Pork vindaloo that my husband will not stop talking about ;-)
Patrick, the owner and Sommelier is super knowledgeable about wine and had us trying wines from Lebanon and Georgia last night (who knew?). I also had a great Chablis that was the perfect start to a fun Thursday night.
Make sure to check out the bathroom in the back… SEXY! I didn’t even know they made gold faucets and pipes but damn, now I want that in my own apartment.
Pretty sure this is going to become one of our regular spots.

Went there tonight for the first time, it was pretty awesome. The small space feels intimate and being right next to the chefs as they cooked was entertaining and added to the experience. The food was fantastic and the wine was excellent. I’d definitely recommend it.